As fans of Wales and Italy raise a glass to their teams tomorrow, pubs and restaurants across the country will be opening their doors at breakfast time.

As fans of Wales and Italy raise a glass to their teams tomorrow, pubs and restaurants across the country will be opening their doors at breakfast time. Rhodri Owen finds out what will be on the menu

RESEARCH earlier this year claimed the Welsh are among the most sluggish starters in Britain when it comes to getting out of their beds of a morning.

However that may not be a problem tomorrow morning as Steve Hansen's team take on Italy in their crunch Group D quarter-final decider at Canberra.

Thankfully, kick-off has been scheduled for the civilised hour of 9.30am BST, so citizens of Wales on either side of the Wales-Italy divide will at least have time for a hearty breakfast.

Already down in Llanelli Welsh fans seem to have settled comfortably into the habit of dropping into Le Caprice Cafe Bar on Murray Street, where owner Paul Jenkins has been opening early to show all of Wales' Rugby World Cup matches so far.

"We've been open at 8am for the last couple of Sundays, offering a hot breakfast and tea or coffee, but the bar's been open, too," said Mr Jenkins.

"We've had two new big screens put in especially for the Rugby World Cup."

Mr Jenkins is expecting a bar full for tomorrow's live encounter, and is hoping a good many of Llanelli's Italian community will drop in.

"We'll be putting on a traditional Welsh breakfast and then showing all the games that are on throughout the day. It should be a good atmosphere," he enthused.

Over in Cardiff the boot will be on the other foot at the Topo Gigio restaurant in Church Street which will also be screening the game live.

Owner Tony Venditto is expecting a busy morning, and will be laying on a special Italian breakfast for custo-mers.

"In Italy you might get up at seven or eight in the morning, drink a cup of cappuccino and then knock back a glass of grappa wine," said Mr Venditto.

"So we're going to be having breakfast here the Italian way. We have got a few Italians coming down to watch the game, perhaps 20 or 30, and I have a lot of good friends who are Welsh who might drop in."

Mr Venditto said he was hopeful of seeing a close game but admitted, "Italy have got a bit of a problem. Wales have had a week off and Italy have only had three days.

"I spoke to my friend Fabrizzio, who is part of the Italian set-up and he told me a couple of players had been bashed up by Canada. Troncon could be out.

"So we've lost maybe two or three of our best players. And it's like the Welsh football team, without their two or three best players they are not so good. We don't have enough depth in the squad. But it should still be interesting."

Coverage of the game begins at 9am on S4C and at 9.25am on ITV1 Wales.

In Wind Street, Swansea, the Walkabout Inn will be opening specially at 9am to allow fans to watch both the Wales v Italy and France v Scotland games.

"We've been laying on a breakfast menu and serving drinks throughout the World Cup tournament and there's always a good atmosphere in here when the rugby's on," said Sal Van Rensburg.

Meanwhile in south-east Wales at the Breeze Bar in Newport's Cambrian Road fans will be gathering to watch the big game on a large screen.

"We usually get a good crowd in for the rugby," said general manager Nicky Mackenzie, "We have a large screen and the breakfast menu normally starts at 9.30am on a Saturday in any case."